Regional conflict escalates as Iran exchanges strikes with Israel and Gulf States, analyst says

Events are unfolding rapidly across the Middle East, and the situation now appears to have escalated beyond a localized military flare-up into a broad regional war, according to Armenian political analyst Vardan Balyan.

"Iran has launched missile strikes not only against Israel but also against Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates," Balyan wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Iranian parliament (Majlis) was targeted in a joint U.S.-Israeli missile strike. Many lawmakers were reportedly inside the building attending an emergency session at the time of the attack. Casualty figures have not been officially confirmed.

Earlier reports circulating on social media claimed that President Masoud Pezeshkian had been killed. The Iranian authorities have since denied the claims, stating that the president is alive and unharmed.

Reports of casualties among senior Iranian officials are also emerging. Iranian state and semi-official sources have yet to issue comprehensive statements, but some outlets have reported the death of Army Chief of Staff Major General Amir Khatami, as well as judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.

Strikes have been reported in multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj, Qom, Bushehr, Chabahar, Kermanshah, Tabriz and Khorramabad. Targets are said to include security service facilities and government buildings.

"Unconfirmed reports also suggest that the residence of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran was destroyed, with heavy bombardment reported in the surrounding area," the analyst said.

There has been no official confirmation of damage to the site.

In addition to conventional military operations, cyber warfare appears to be underway. Iranian state media websites have been hacked, he added.

Balyan also condemned the Armenian leadership's failure to respond to the attack on Iran.